Real Madrid: Sensational 40-Game Streak Ends
The run had to end at some stage. Real Madrid’s 40-match unbeaten streak stretched all the way back to March last season. But after a defeat at Sevilla in La Liga on Sunday, it is time to start all over again for Zinedine Zidane’s side.
Real Madrid — Where it all ended
It was the teams’ second meeting in four days at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan after an enthralling 3-3 draw in the Copa del Rey last 16 on Thursday. Until the 85th minute this clash failed to live up to the drama of that tie. The build-up to this fixture saw the clubs being involved in a spat surrounding Sevilla fans’ treatment of Sergio Ramos during the Copa clash.
Madrid who took the lead in the 67th minute when Cristiano Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot – his 21st goal in just 13 appearances against Sevilla. After keeper Sergio Rico needlessly brought down Madrid fullback Dani Carvajal.
Ramos – chosen alongside Nacho and Raphael Varane in a back three rather than the usual four – was rarely troubled as Sevilla struggled to break through until the remarkable end of the game.
And there was to be one final twist as Navas failed to keep out Jovetic’s effort, Sevilla fans and players were ecstatic at the final whistle as a shell-shocked Real Madrid were forced to contemplate their long undefeated run coming to an end.
The victory – Sevilla’s eighth at home from nine league outings this season – lifts them above Barcelona and into second. Real has a game in hand compared to both Sevilla (one point adrift) and Barcelona (two points adrift), who are chasing the leaders.
Ramos time with a twist
It looked as if Madrid were going to move seven points clear of Sevilla and five clear of Barcelona with a game in hand (despite Sevilla’s impressive efforts) until five minutes before time when Sergio Ramos took center stage.
The former Sevilla defender had been the cause of controversy during the week for his celebrations after scoring a penalty against his former club, and he became the protagonist again when he headed into his own net to give Sevilla the crucial equalizer.
Sarabia’s free-kick curled inwards from the left and, from the six-yard box, it was headed into the net. The Pizjuán erupted, the celebration coming in stages: first the goal, the sense of revenge from Wednesday night, the late goal returned, and then the realization. All across the stadium they looked at each other, barely able to believe it.
Sergio Ramos, the man who had made a career out of late goals, headers that change matches and destinies; who had scored the late header that denied Sevilla the European Super Cup. The former Sevilla player in this game had been all about, who they’d whistled all night, the noise reaching loudest of levels when his name was read out, and who now they cheered. It had to be him.
The end of streak
Such is the scrutiny in Spain that, despite putting together the longest run without a loss in the history of Spanish football, the 2-1 reverse at the Sanchez Pijuan brought question marks over the roles of Karim Benzema, Keylor Navas and Cristiano Ronaldo – as well as Zidane himself. Against Sevilla, Real Madrid clearly could not find the right rhythm to attack in a 3-5-2 formation.
Real and Zidane need to improve upon the already existing system by bettering compactness, implementing a sounder pressing structure, and penetrating through the middle. More importantly, restoration of confidence among the squad should be his top priority.
That is perhaps the nature of Madrid and Zidane is well aware that he is under the spotlight at the Santiago Bernabeu, even though he has delivered three trophies already and lost only three matches during his year-long spell in charge.
Zidane downplayed the end of Madrid’s unbeaten streak. The club had not lost since a 2-0 defeat at Wolfsburg in the Champions League in April. This is the right attitude and Madrid would be pleased that they have the chance to put the defeat behind them and move on.
Madrid will wonder how they lost it, but their 40-match unbeaten run is now gone and La Liga is wide open once again. with Sevilla a point behind and Barca one further back – albeit both having played one more game than Real Madrid. And unfortunate as it may have been, it all started with Sergio Ramos.
Picture Courtesy: Marca, TheSun